Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-27
Sugar-Mal1lng.

The agricuuurists of Virginia being
largely represented in Richmond to-
day, the present Is au appropriate time
to remind them that it seems to have
bee n reduced almost to certainty that
the best of sugar can be made from sor-
ghum cane. Inasmuch as the United
States during the year ending June 80,
1886, imported sugar to the value of
81, 3l1,000, it needs no argument to
convince anybody that sugar making
may, if the statements made in the ar
ticle quoted below are true, become a
profitable industry in at least some
of the States. Amongst those States is
Virginia for, ast the Providence Journal
remarks, though this is subject which
appeals to every householder in the
land for due consideration, it is Of spe-
cial Importance to the South and West,
seeing that it is in those sections that
the sorghum cane can be grown, and,
consequently, those are the sections in
which sugar-manufactories would ma
turally be established.
We repeat that this country needs
everyyear seventy millions of dollars
worth of sugar besides that manufac-
tured in Louisiana. And if further ex-
perimen's are needed in order to rem
der it certain that our people might
profitably engage in the sugar industry
then by all means let the President and
Congress see TO it without delay that
every doubt shall beremoved. Let the
tillers OF the earth know at the earliest
possible moment whether they can or
cannot safely and pro6tably engage in
growing sorghum.
The Virginia State Agricultural So
ciety might make deliverance in re-
gard TO this matter that would be re-
spected at Washington-that is, of
course, if the members concur in the
opinion that it is of sufficient import
ance TO demand or justify notice at
their hands.
To show how the proposed new in
dustIy is regarded in other States, aud
as being interesting 10 agriculturists,
We reproduce the following from the
Providence Journal:
alt IL quite within bounds TO say that the
question OF the profitable manufacture OF sugar
from sorghum Is now attracting larger share
OF public attention than that of almost any
industry established or inchoate. For years
the subject has been one OF inquiry and expert
ment Congress took this distinct and reasOna-
BILE view Of the case. that n there was probable
reason 10 believe that one Of the staple articles
81 lie for which we were dependent upon
foreign countries could bo produced by our.
selves 81 price not beyond that already paid
by the consumer, IL was the duty OF Con .ess 10
ascertain that fact, and approprlatloes were
msde accordingly. IL hecame evident under
de experimentation Of Professor Collier thar
the matter ought 10 be pursued. The ind0rse-
mept Of bis work by the National Academy of
Science. at the head Of which was that eminent
chemist Professor stillman, was In itself
enough 70 prove that the Efforts OF the Depart.
meDt Of Agriculture in that direction ought TO
be continued.
Commissioner Loring had no confidence ia
heindusiry. Commissioner Colman had none.
Professor Collier was out, aud Wiley was In
But the Department OF Agriculture was not 80
big as the country, aud the people were deter
mined 70 soc the matter out Then cane the
experiments In Kansas, which converted even
C0iInan. Bat II IL not the testimony Of Colman
which IL convincing, 10 much rs the facts, rs 20
which there 10 40 dispute. We import, say,
eighty millions Of dollars worth OF sugar an.
puaiiy. The state u Kansas has offered pre-
MUM OF Two cents pound for ali the sugar |
produced ~ thai state. and there are hundred |
snd nifty thousand aeres VI sorghum grown and |
nearly million collars worth o. machinery J